JP2012058588A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which displays the most appropriate operation guidance for jamming release to a user when jamming occurs.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises: a jamming detection sensor for detecting occurrence and release of jamming of a paper sheet which is being conveyed in a conveyance path; jamming release operation procedure detection means (steps S15, S16) for detecting procedure of operation of a plurality of operation members provided in the conveyance path for jamming release; and jamming release time measuring means (steps S13, S14, S17, S18) for measuring time needed for jamming release. Time needed for jamming release is measured every time jamming occurs, and when it is the shortest among the ones in all previous jamming occurrences ("YES" in step 19), the procedure used for jamming release operation is stored in a memory as the shortest jamming release procedure of that occurrence pattern (step S1a). The shortest jamming release procedure is displayed in a display part to provide operation guidance for jamming release when a jamming of the same occurrence pattern is detected the next time.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that displays operation guidance for occurrence of a jam.

Conventionally, when a jam occurs in an apparatus that has multiple sheets, automatic paper discharge is performed for the purpose of reducing the risk of user load and equipment damage related to jam release processing and shortening the return processing time. The structure to perform is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).
However, when the paper is deformed or damaged, the user needs to remove the paper.

  Here, in order to recover from the paper jam state in a short time, a configuration for displaying a jam clearing procedure to the user is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  That is, in Patent Document 2, in order to make it easier for the user to grasp the progress status of each step of the jam clearing procedure, when a jam occurs on the paper being conveyed, the remaining necessary until the jam is cleared. In the image forming apparatus in which the number of remaining release procedure steps indicating the number of operation steps and display guidance for guiding the operation content required for each release procedure step are displayed, each time the release procedure step is completed, A configuration is disclosed in which the display guidance for guiding the operation content required for the next release procedure step is displayed, and the remaining release procedure step number is subtracted one by one and displayed.

  However, the jam release procedure display in Patent Document 2 displays the procedures in a predetermined order according to the jam pattern, and does not necessarily indicate a procedure that allows the user to release the jam in the shortest time.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that displays an optimum operation for releasing jam when a jam occurs.

The present invention provided to solve the above problems is as follows. In addition, the site | part and code | symbol etc. which respond | correspond in the form for implementing this invention in a parenthesis are shown.
[1] A jam detection sensor for detecting the occurrence and release of a jam of a sheet (recording medium P) being conveyed in the conveyance path (conveyance path 2), and a plurality of operation members provided in the conveyance path for jam release Jam release operation procedure detection means (steps S15, S16) for detecting the operation procedure of the (operation member 4) and jam release time measurement means (steps S13, S14, S17, S18) for measuring the time required for jam release. And the procedure of the jam release operation executed when the shortest time until that time is reached (YES in step S19). Recorded in the memory as the shortest jam release procedure for pattern jam (step S1a), and then displayed when the occurrence of jam of the same occurrence pattern is detected The image forming apparatus (FIGS. 1 to 5), wherein the shortest jam clearing procedure is displayed as an operation guidance for jam clearing (FIG. 5).
[2] In the memory, the shortest jam release procedure for the jam of a certain occurrence pattern and the time required for the jam release at that time are recorded as the shortest jam release time (Tables 1 and 2), and then the same occurrence pattern If the time taken to clear the jam measured when the jam occurs is shorter than the shortest jam clearing time (YES in step S19), the shortest jam clearing procedure for the jam of the generated pattern is The image forming apparatus according to [1] (FIG. 4), which is updated to the procedure of the jam release operation executed in (1) (step S1a).
[3] The time required for releasing the jam is from the time when the cover of the image forming apparatus is opened (YES in step S13) to the time of detection of the jam release by the jam detection sensor that detects the occurrence of the jam (YES in step S17). 4. The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2] (FIG. 4), which is time.
[4] The jam occurrence pattern is a combination pattern of a jam detection sensor that detects the occurrence of a jam in the plurality of jam detection sensors arranged at different conveyance positions on the conveyance path. 1]-[3] The image forming apparatus (Table 1).
[5] The image forming apparatus according to [4] (Table 2), wherein the occurrence pattern of the jam is further classified by a paper size of the paper being conveyed.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a jam occurs, the jam clearing time by the user is measured, and the procedure of the jam clearing operation executed when the shortest time is reached is the shortest jam clear related to the jam of the generated pattern. As a procedure, it is recorded in the memory, and when the next occurrence of a jam of the same occurrence pattern is detected, the shortest jam removal procedure is displayed on the display unit as a jam removal operation guidance. By reproducing the procedure for releasing the jam in the shortest time, it is possible to reduce the time required for releasing the jam than before.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of a jam detection area in a conveyance path of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of arrangement of operation members on a conveyance path of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for updating a shortest jam release procedure based on a user's jam release operation in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for displaying a shortest jam release procedure on an operation panel when a jam occurs in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the shortest jam cancellation | release procedure.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.
First, referring to FIG. 1, a configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus, 5 is an exposure unit that irradiates a photosensitive drum 18 with exposure light L based on image information, and 6 is detachably installed on the apparatus main body 1. A process cartridge as an image forming unit, 7 is a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 18 to a recording medium (also referred to as paper or transfer paper) P, and 10 is a discharge unit on which an output image is placed. A paper tray, 11 and 12 are paper feeding units in which the recording medium P is stored, 13 is a registration roller that conveys the recording medium P to the transfer unit 7, and 15 is a size different from the recording medium P of the paper feeding units 11 and 12 mainly. A manual paper feed unit 20 used for transporting the recording medium P is an electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device that fixes an unfixed image on the recording medium P. The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each part of the apparatus, a memory (not shown) that stores information detected or measured by each unit, and an operation panel (not shown) as a display unit. As shown).

The operation at the time of image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
First, exposure light L such as laser light based on image information is emitted from the exposure unit 5 (writing unit) onto the photosensitive drum 18 of the process cartridge 6. The photosensitive drum 18 rotates clockwise in the figure, and a toner image corresponding to image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 18 through a predetermined image forming process (charging process, exposure process, development process). The
Thereafter, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 18 is transferred onto the recording medium P conveyed by the registration roller 13 in the transfer unit 7.

  On the other hand, the recording medium P conveyed to the transfer unit 7 operates as follows. First, one of the plurality of paper feeding units 11 and 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 is automatically or manually selected (for example, the uppermost paper feeding unit 11 is selected). The plurality of paper feeding units 11 and 12 store recording media P having different sizes and recording media P having the same size and different transport directions.

  Then, the uppermost sheet of the recording medium P stored in the paper feeding unit 11 is transported toward the position of the transport path 2 that forms the transport path from the recording medium P until an image is formed and discharged. Thereafter, the recording medium P passes through the conveyance path 2 and reaches the position of the registration roller 13. Then, the recording medium P that has reached the position of the registration roller 13 is conveyed toward the transfer unit 7 at the same timing in order to align with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 18.

  The recording medium P after the transfer process passes through the position of the transfer unit 7 and then reaches the fixing device 20 through the transport path 2. The recording medium P that has reached the fixing device 20 is fed between the fixing sleeve 22 and the pressure roller 23, and the toner image is fixed by the heat received from the fixing sleeve 22 and the pressure received from the pressure roller 23. . The recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed is sent from between the fixing sleeve 22 and the pressure roller 23, and then is discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 as an output image and placed on the paper discharge tray 10. Is done. Thus, a series of image forming processes is completed. Although the image forming apparatus 1 is for monochromatic printing, full color printing can be performed by forming an image with the process cartridge 6 having four colors KCMY.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of jam detection sensors (not shown) for detecting the occurrence and release of jam of the recording medium P being conveyed in the conveyance path 2 are respectively located at different conveyance positions on the conveyance path 2. These are arranged so as to cover a plurality of areas (jam detection areas) of the conveyance path 2, and it is possible to detect the occurrence and release of a jam in each area. This jam detection sensor may be a conventionally known one.

  FIG. 2 shows an arrangement example of the jam detection area. Here, four jam detection areas A, B, C, and D (collectively referred to as jam detection area 3) are provided on the conveyance path 2. Specifically, the jam detection area A detects a jam in the conveyance path 2 from the recording medium conveyance exit of the paper feeding units 11 and 12 to the registration roller 13, and the jam detection area B is a conveyance path 2 related to the transfer process. The jam detection area C detects a jam in the fixing device 20, and the jam detection area D detects a jam in the conveyance path 2 related to the discharge of the recording medium after the fixing device 20. Is. These jam detection areas A to D are adjacent to each other, and it is possible to detect in which area the jam on the conveyance path 2 has occurred without omission. Further, when a jam is detected in each of the jam detection areas A to D, it can be displayed on the operation panel of the apparatus main body 1 so that the area where the jam occurs can be seen. For example, the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the operation panel, and only the jam detection area 3 in which the occurrence of the jam is detected is displayed in the jam detection areas A to D.

  Further, the transport path 2 is provided with a plurality of operation members for releasing the jam. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation member 4 is provided on the conveyance path 2 as an operation member 4, and the operation levers a, c, e, and f that expose the inside of the conveyance path 2 by opening the cover of the conveyance path 2 or manually rotate. Are provided with operation rollers b, d, g, etc. for feeding out the recording medium P on the conveyance path 2, and when a jam occurs, the user operates a predetermined operation lever or operation roller corresponding to the area where the jam occurs. By doing so, it is possible to remove the jam by removing the recording medium P causing the jam from the conveyance path 2. For example, if the predetermined operation roller is continuously rotated in the predetermined direction and the recording medium P is not responsive, the recording medium P can be easily removed when the predetermined operation lever is operated to open the cover of the conveyance path 2. It is like that. Therefore, in this case, the operation of the operation roller displayed on the operation panel at the time of the jam release operation means that the operation roller is rotated in a predetermined direction until there is no response to the conveyance of the recording medium P.

  Each of these operation members 4 is provided with a sensor for detecting that the user has operated, and the operation procedure of the plurality of operation members 4 can be detected. Thereby, it is possible to detect and memorize the procedure by which the user operates the operation member to release the jam when the jam occurs (jam release operation procedure detection means).

  It is possible to release all jams by operating all of these operation members 4 when releasing the jam. However, it is not possible to operate up to the operation members 4 where no jam has occurred. It is a waste of time and it is desirable to efficiently operate only the operation member 4 suitable for jam removal.

  Even in the operation member 4 at the jam occurrence location, for example, assuming that the recording medium P exists between the operation roller d and the operation lever e, the cover of the transport path 2 is suddenly opened by the operation lever e, and the recording medium P is removed. Rather than removing, the recording medium P is first moved to some extent by the operation roller d, and after reaching the position where it can be easily taken out, the cover of the conveyance path 2 is opened by the operation lever e and the recording medium P is removed, so that the jam can be released more smoothly. May take less time. Thus, the order of operating the operation member 4 is an important factor in shortening the jam release time.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes a jam release time measuring unit that measures the time required for the jam release. The jam release time measuring means is provided, for example, in the control unit of the image forming apparatus. When the jam detection is detected by the jam detection sensor, the jam generation is detected from the time when the cover of the image forming apparatus is opened. This is to measure the time until the detection of the jam release by the jam detection sensor. A sensor for detecting opening / closing of the cover of the image forming apparatus may be provided to specify the time point when the cover of the image forming apparatus is opened.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the procedure of the jam release operation executed when the shortest time is reached among the times required for the jam release measured each time the jam occurs. The shortest jam clearing procedure related to the jam is recorded in the memory, and when the occurrence of the jam having the same occurrence pattern is detected, the shortest jam clearing procedure is displayed on the display unit as the jam clearing operation guidance.
This measures the jam release time by the user at the time of jam occurrence, and records the procedure of the jam release operation executed when the shortest time until that time is recorded in the memory as the shortest jam release procedure for the jam of the occurrence pattern, Next, when the occurrence of a jam with the same occurrence pattern is detected, the shortest jam release procedure is displayed on the display unit as an operation guidance for releasing the jam, so that the user actually releases the jam in the shortest time while watching the display. By reproducing the procedure, it is possible to reduce the time required to clear the jam than before.
Details of the control contents will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for updating the shortest jam release procedure based on the user's jam release operation.
(S11) When the jam detection sensor detects the occurrence of a jam, this control flow is started. First, a jam occurrence pattern (hereinafter referred to as a jam pattern) is specified. Here, the jam pattern is a combination pattern of jam detection sensors that detect the occurrence of a jam among a plurality of jam detection sensors arranged at different transport positions on the transport path 2, and among the plurality of jam detection areas, It is also a combination pattern of areas where the occurrence of a jam is detected. Accordingly, when the jam detection area where the occurrence of the jam is detected is known, the jam pattern is specified. For example, when there are four jam detection areas 3 (jam detection areas A, B, C, and D) as shown in FIG. 2, the number x of jam patterns is x = 2 ⁴ −1 = 15, and there are 15 types of jams. A jam pattern generated from the pattern is specified. If the jam detection area increases or decreases, the number of jam patterns also increases or decreases accordingly.

(S12) Next, the shortest jam release procedure and the shortest time required for the jam release (shortest jam release time) are read (loaded) as the jam release result data in the specified jam pattern. For example, as shown in Table 1, for each jam pattern, a release procedure storage table for storing the shortest jam release procedure and the shortest jam release time is prepared in the memory and corresponds to the jam pattern specified from the table. Information should be read out. The shortest jam release procedure is the order in which the operation member 4 is operated when the time required for releasing all the jams in the jam pattern is the shortest time. For example, in Table 1, the jam pattern 2 is a case where the occurrence of a jam is detected in the jam detection areas A and B, and after operating the operation roller (roller) b and feeding the recording medium P as the shortest jam release procedure. It is recorded that there is a track record that the operation lever (lever) c is operated and the jam can be released in the shortest time 24 seconds.

(S13) Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the user has opened the cover of the apparatus main body 1 to clear the jam.
(S14) The measurement of the jam release time is started when the cover is opened (YES in S13).
(S15) Then, the operation of one operation member 4 for the jam release by the user is detected by the sensor.
(S16) Then, the detected operation of the operation member 4 is added as an operation procedure of the operation member 4 for the current jam release, and the procedure is temporarily stored.
(S17) Steps S15 and S16 are repeated until all jams are released.
(S18) When all the jams in the image forming apparatus are released (YES in S17), the measurement of the jam release time is ended.
(S19) It is determined whether or not the measured jam release time is shorter than the shortest jam release time read in step S12.
(S1a) When the measured jam release time is shorter than the shortest jam release time read in step S12 (YES in S19 when the latest jam pattern release procedure storage table is updated), the release procedure storage table The shortest jam release procedure and the shortest jam release time in (Table 1) are updated to the current operation procedure and the measured jam release time.
If the measured jam release time is not shorter than the shortest jam release time read in step S12 (NO in S19 when the shortest time in the current jam pattern release procedure storage table is not updated), The release procedure storage table is not updated.

  Thus, the shortest jam clearing procedure and the shortest jam clearing time column in the clearing procedure storage table indicate the shortest jam in which the time required for the user to clear all the jams is recorded when the jam pattern actually occurs. It is updated when the release time is below, and the most preferable operation procedure for releasing the jam is recorded for each jam pattern at that time.

It is preferable that the jam patterns in the release procedure storage table are further classified by the paper size of the paper being transported for the combination pattern of the areas where the occurrence of the jam is detected among the plurality of jam detection areas. This is because if the sheet length of the recording medium P to be conveyed is different, the jam state is different and the operation for canceling the jam state is also changed. In this case, the paper size may be stored as history information as the paper size of the recording medium P at the time of paper feeding, and read out when the jam occurs.
An example is shown in Table 2.

  Also, a standard jam clearing procedure is preset when the image forming apparatus is shipped from the factory. Alternatively, when presetting at the time of factory shipment, an engineer may try various jam release using the control of the present invention (FIG. 4) and register the result as a default shortest jam release procedure. .

Next, a procedure for displaying the shortest jam release procedure on the operation panel when a jam occurs will be described with reference to FIG.
(S21) When the jam detection sensor detects the occurrence of a jam, this control flow is started, and first a jam pattern is specified. This step is the same as step S11 in FIG.
(S22) Next, the shortest jam release procedure is read (loaded) from the release procedure storage table of Table 1 or Table 2 as the jam release result data in the specified jam pattern.
(S23) The read shortest jam release procedure is displayed on the operation panel. FIG. 6 shows an example of the display. Here, the jam detection areas B, C, and D where the occurrence of the jam is detected are displayed on the operation panel, and the shortest jam release procedure corresponding to the jam pattern is displayed.
(S24) Step S23 is executed until all jams are released. When all the jams in the image forming apparatus are released (YES in S24), the display of the shortest jam release procedure is terminated.

  As described above, when a jam occurs, the shortest jam release procedure is displayed on the operation panel, and the user can release the jam in the shortest time by operating the operation member 4 while referring to this display. The jam clearing procedure is reproduced, so that it is possible to efficiently remove the jam. In addition, even a novice user displays the shortest jam clearing procedure that has been performed by an expert so far, so that particularly efficient jam clearing is possible.

  It should be noted that the procedure pattern for releasing jam correlates with the number of operation members 4, and there are an infinite number due to the difference in the operation order of the operation members 4. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to release the jam according to the operation guidance, that is, the displayed minimum jam release procedure. When the user feels that the displayed procedure cannot be used to effectively cancel the jam, Jam may be released in a procedure. In this case, when the shortest jam release time is updated, the procedure at that time is updated as the shortest jam release procedure.

  Although the present invention has been described with the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and other embodiments, additions, changes, deletions, etc. Can be changed within the range that can be conceived, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects and advantages of the present invention are exhibited.

  For example, it is possible to apply the present invention even when an optional mechanism is added to the apparatus main body 1, and it is possible to cope by creating a release procedure storage table including a jam detection area mounted on the optional mechanism. can do. When adding a plurality of option mechanisms, it is preferable that the jam detection area can be distinguished for each option. For example, the release procedure storage table is created with the jam detection area A1 of the first option mechanism and the jam detection area A2 of the second option mechanism as different.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Conveyance path 3, A, B, C, D Jam detection area 4 Operation member 5 Exposure part 6 Process cartridge 7 Transfer part 10 Paper discharge tray 11,12 Paper feed part 13 Registration roller 15 Manual paper feed part 18 Photosensitive Body drum 20 Fixing device 22 Fixing sleeve 23 Pressure roller a, c, e, f Operation lever b, d, g Operation roller P Recording medium

JP 2008-52125 A JP 2003-5586 A

Claims (5)

A jam detection sensor for detecting occurrence and release of a jam of the paper being conveyed in the conveyance path;
Jam release operation procedure detection means for detecting the operation procedure of a plurality of operation members provided in the transport path for jam release;
A jam release time measuring means for measuring the time required for jam release;
With
Of the time taken to clear a jam that is measured each time a jam occurs, the procedure of the jam clearing operation that was executed when the shortest time was reached is stored in the memory as the shortest jam clearing procedure for the jam of the occurrence pattern. An image forming apparatus that records and next displays the shortest jam release procedure as a jam release operation guidance on a display unit when occurrence of a jam of the same occurrence pattern is detected next.   In the memory, the shortest jam release procedure for the jam of a certain occurrence pattern and the time required for the jam release at that time are recorded as the shortest jam release time, and then measured when the same occurrence pattern jam occurs. When the time required for jam release is shorter than the shortest jam release time, the shortest jam release procedure relating to the jam of the generated pattern is updated to the procedure of the jam release operation executed at that time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The time required for the jam release is a time from the time when the cover of the image forming apparatus is opened to the time of detection of the jam release by the jam detection sensor that detects the occurrence of the jam. Image forming apparatus.   The jam occurrence pattern is a combination pattern of jam detection sensors that detect the occurrence of a jam in the plurality of jam detection sensors arranged at different conveyance positions on the conveyance path. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the jam occurrence pattern is further classified by a paper size of the paper being conveyed.